The σ-Stark effect of rotational transitions : Part I: Experimental aspects

Abstract

A method is described for the automatic recording of the Stark-splitting patterns of microwave transitions corresponding to ΔM = ± 1. Potentialities and limitations of the method are shown in the application to the J = 1 → 2 rotational transition of the 16O12C32S molecule in the ground and in the excited bending (l-doublet) vibrational state. Generally, splitting patterns could be recorded automatically over frequency intervals up to 400 MHz. Slight distortion of the line shapes and of the relative intensities could not be avoided, however.